Dellinger, B., Pryor, W.A., Cueto, R., Squadrito, G.L., Hegde, V., & Deutsch, W.A. (2001). Role of free radicals in the toxicity of airborne fine particulate matter. Chemical Research in Toxicology, 14 (10): 1371–1377.
Dellinger et al (2001) provide a statistics of the death rate caused by PM 2.5 particles released from prescribed fires. They also provide information on the respiratory illnesses caused by PM 2.5 . The article addresses the mechanism through which PM 2.5 causes illnesses. The article exploits the knowledge gap on how radicals released from prescribed fires undergo chemical transformation into toxic radicals capable of causing illness. The radicals were tested with DNA samples and were confirmed to cause mutations. This article is important to my research since it provides information on the chemical pathways through which a PM 2.5 released into the atmosphere undergo major transformations to cause respiratory illnesses, DNA mutations, and deaths. Given that PM 2.5 is airborne, the harm caused in genetic mutations may span several generations without being suspected.
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Fine, P.M., Cass, G.R., and Simoneit, B.R.T. (2004). Chemical characterization of fine particle emissions from fireplace combustion of wood types grown in the Midwestern and western United States. Environmental Engineering Science, 12(3): 1371–1377. DOI: 10.1021/tx010050x
Fine particulate PM 2.5 particles are airborne from the place of fire to other regions. The prevalence of the illnesses suspected to be caused by PM 2.5 and their spread geographically is significant in determining the type of trees whose smoke particles are likely to cause more harm. This article provides useful information on the spread of PM 2.5 particles from prescribed fires burnt in the western and Midwestern regions of the United States where specific trees can be found. The research involves the test of particles from trees such as White Oak, Pinyon Pine, Sugar Maple, Ponderosa Pine, American Beech, Douglas Fir, Black Cherry, Quaking Aspen and white spruce. Cellulose pyrolisis products were used as markers for cellulose combustion aerosals, other markers were used to identify lignin and resin. Lignin and resin markers are used to distinguish between soft and hardwoods. Generally, this research paper is significant for this study in understanding which trees and what amount of aerosals, between soft and hardwoods, releases PM 2.5 that are more likely to spread and cause respiratory illnesses and DNA damages.
Hannigan, M.P., Cass, G.R., Lafleur, A.L., Longwell, J.P. & Thilly, W.G. (1994). Bacterial mutagenicity of urban organic aerosol sources in comparison to atmospheric samples. Environmental Science and Technology, 28 (12), pp 2014–2024. DOI: 10.1021/es00061a009
The article addresses the mutagenic effect of combustion gases released into the atmosphere. The article addresses the mutagenic effect of combustion gases released into the atmosphere from combustion of various products by vehicles, industries, and home use. The samples are drawn from Los Angeles and southern California tested on Salmonella typhimurium . The results of the study indicate the mutagenic effect of the aerosols on Salmonella typhimurium . However, the mutations vary depending on the nature of aerosols and their density. This paper is important to my research as it confirms the mutagenic impact of aerosols released from the combustion of organic fuels. Mutations of this kind on microorganisms caused by aerosols cannot be assumed especially when they cause the mutation of organisms known to be pathogenic to man. Such a trend can be very dangerous for the medical field since such mutations often result in drug resistance among bacteria and other pathogens.
Hannigan, M.P., Cass, G.R., Penman, B.W., Crespi, C.L., Lafleur, A.L., Busby, W.F. Jr., Thilly, W.G. & Simoneit, B.R.T. (1998). Bioassay-directed chemical analysis of Los Angeles airborne particulate matter using a human cell mutagenicity assay. Environmental Science and Technology, 32 (22), pp 3502–3514. DOI: 10.1021/es9706561
Besides linking the mutagenic effect of particulate matter to a microorganism, Hannigan et al.’s study extends the mutagenic effects of PM to the human specimen. Particles from PM emission are extracted and their components separated by liquid chromatography. The fragments are separated based on their polarity. The samples are then analyzed for human mutagenicity and chemical characteristic by h1A1v2 and GC/MS methods respectively. The findings of the research indicate that unsubstituted polycyclic aromatic compounds (PAC) are responsible for mutations in human cells. This article offers invaluable information on the effect of unsubstituted PAC compound on humans. In fact, it provides more information on the consequences of prescribed fire by identifying the impact of the aerosols released on a human. This is a fact confirming that the PM particles have an impact on the environment and human being as well.
Lewis, C.W., Baumgardner, R.E., & Stevens, R.K. Contribution of wood smoke and motor vehicle emissions to ambient aerosol mutagenicity. Environmental Science and Technology 22 (8), pp 968–971. DOI: 10.1021/es00173a017
Mutagenic substances are released from the combustion of fuels such as trees and engine fuels. The carcinogenic effect of the aerosols released into the atmosphere varies depending on the source of the particles and the concentration. This article provides a valuable indication, which associates aerosols from engine combustion with the greatest likelihood of causing mutations as compared with aerosols released from prescribed forest fires. It is agreeable that engine oil combustion forms the greatest part of waste releases to the atmosphere as compared to prescribed forest fire. Nonetheless, this does not legitimize prescribed fires as safe. The research paper also agrees on the mutagenic effect of PM particles on Salmonella typhimurium .
Naeher, L. P., Brauer, M., Lipsett, M., Zelikoff, J. T., Simpson, C. D., Koenig, J. Q., & Smith, K. R. (2007). Woodsmoke health effects: a review. Inhalation Toxicology, 19 (1), 67-106. DOI: 10.1080/08958370600985875
This article demystifies the belief that wood smoke, being a byproduct of burning natural substance, has no negative side effects on man. It goes on to provide pieces of evidence of health side effects caused by CO, Benzene, and NO X . The article addresses the need for putting a restriction on wood smoke and ascertaining the health impact of wood smoke in comparison with other particles of the same weight. The article reviews the physical and chemical property of wood smoke, epidemiology, and exposure of wood smoke both indoor and outdoor. The paper further provides informational pieces of evidence on the effect of wood smoke on animals. It also contrasts developing and developed countries. An understanding of the physical and chemical property of PM substances is important to this research. Further, a comparison between developed and developing countries will add a significant amount of information in arriving at a credible conclusion.
Stefanidou, M., Athanaselis, S., & Spiliopoulou, C. (2008). Health impacts of fire smoke inhalation. Inhalation Toxicology, 20(8), 761-766. doi: 10.1080/08958370801975311.
This article involves a review of health cases reported by firefighters and other people exposed to smoke. The article emphasizes the role of smoke emission in causing more harm than mere fire burns. Moreover, it states that the impact of smoke depends on the physical and chemical features of the affected environment. Examination of actual victims of smoke inhalation provides more reliable information than data collected from laboratory tests. Therefore, the information that the authors provide is more concrete as it gives scenarios of actual victims of smoke inhalation.
References
Dellinger, B., Pryor, W.A., Cueto, R., Squadrito, G.L., Hegde, V., & Deutsch, W.A. (2001). Role of free radicals in the toxicity of airborne fine particulate matter. Chemical Research in Toxicology, 14 (10): 1371–1377.
Fine, P.M., Cass, G.R., and Simoneit, B.R.T. (2004). Chemical characterization of fine particle emissions from fireplace combustion of wood types grown in the Midwestern and western United States. Environmental Engineering Science, 12(3): 1371–1377. DOI: 10.1021/tx010050x
Hannigan, M.P., Cass, G.R., Lafleur, A.L., Longwell, J.P. & Thilly, W.G. (1994). Bacterial mutagenicity of urban organic aerosol sources in comparison to atmospheric samples. Environmental Science and Technology, 28 (12), pp 2014–2024. DOI: 10.1021/es00061a009
Hannigan, M.P., Cass, G.R., Penman, B.W., Crespi, C.L., Lafleur, A.L., Busby, W.F. Jr., Thilly, W.G. & Simoneit, B.R.T. (1998). Bioassay-directed chemical analysis of Los Angeles airborne particulate matter using a human cell mutagenicity assay. Environmental Science and Technology, 32 (22), pp 3502–3514. DOI: 10.1021/es9706561
Lewis, C.W., Baumgardner, R.E., & Stevens, R.K. Contribution of wood smoke and motor vehicle emissions to ambient aerosol mutagenicity. Environmental Science and Technology 22 (8), pp 968–971. DOI: 10.1021/es00173a017
Naeher, L. P., Brauer, M., Lipsett, M., Zelikoff, J. T., Simpson, C. D., Koenig, J. Q., & Smith, K. R. (2007). Woodsmoke health effects: a review. Inhalation Toxicology, 19 (1), 67-106. DOI: 10.1080/08958370600985875
Stefanidou, M., Athanaselis, S., & Spiliopoulou, C. (2008). Health impacts of fire smoke inhalation. Inhalation Toxicology, 20(8), 761-766. doi: 10.1080/08958370801975311
